49 Interesting Facts About Minnesota

Minnesota is the 22nd most populous and the 12th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It lies in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and northern regions of the United States. The state attained statehood on May 11, 1858, becoming the 32nd state to join the union. It shares its border with five statesIowa, Michigan (water border), North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Minnesota(nicknamed: Gopher State, Land of 10,000 Lakes, North Star State, State of Hockey) has 87 counties. The state’s capital is Saint Paul. The postal abbreviation for Minnesota is MN. With these facts about MN, let us learn about its history, economy, geography, people, culture, wildlife, and nature.

49 Facts about Minnesota

1. First settlers

The oldest human remains found in the region date back to 7,000 BC. These remains were found in 1933 near Browns Valley, east of the state of Minnesota; hence, the name of Man of Browns Valley. Human presence in the region could be before the date thanks to the discovery.

2. The arrival of the Europeans

French nationals, Pierre Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart were, in 1660, the first inhabitants of the old continent. In 1679, French explorer Daniel Greysolon claimed the entire region on behalf of France. French influence in the area declined after 1763 when France ceded part of Minnesota to the United Kingdom.

Minnesota (in red) on the map with neighboring states.

3. Great museums

Minnesota is home to several museums that you cannot ignore. They are mainly located in the city of Minneapolis and the list includes The Walker Art Center, which is dedicated to visual art. The center was founded in 1940 and it is ranked in the top five contemporary art museums of the United States. It attracts more than 700,000 visitors a year.[22]

4. Expansive state parks

Minnesota state parks occupy more than 200 thousand hectares. Many of its lakes and rivers allow locals and visitors to enjoy various activities, including sailing, fishing, boating, swimming and walking on foot through forests, marshes, grasslands, rivers, and lakes.[2]

5. Top ranking in education

Practically since its creation as a state of the Union, Minnesota has paid special attention to education. MN is proudly one of the ten strongest states in education.[11]

6. Number one ranking for fitness

The state of Minnesota ranks first when it comes to the percentage of residents who exercise regularly. It is second in three key indices: low infant mortality, long life expectancy, and a low mortality rate.[5]

7. Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo is located near Minneapolis and Saint Paul and has 4,990 animals and 533 species in an area of 485 hectares. This large space makes animals feel as if they are in their respective habitats. The zoo operates as a place to connect people with animals. The zoo opened to the public in May 1978.[16]

Downtown Minneapolis Skyscrapers and Skyway Walkways over Long Exposure Traffic during a Winter Night.

8. The largest network of skyways

An interesting fact about Minnesota is that that the Minneapolis Skyway System stands out as the largest network of skyways globally. It links 80 blocks contiguously for a distance of up to 9.5 miles. The very first skyway, opened in 1962. People can move one building to another in a more convenient way even during bad weather.[18]

Digital image of original artifact – Stillwater resident Charles Strite invented that very marvel because he wanted toast at his office. He applied for a patent for the device on May 29, 1919.

9. Minnesota inventions

This list of facts about Minnesota would not be complete unless the state’s important contributions are mentioned. Minnesota has contributed many inventions in various fields, including medicines and apparel. Its notable achievements include Scotch tape, Better Business Bureau, automatic pop-up toaster, in-the-ear Hearing Aid and more.

10. The highest natural point in Minnesota

At 701 meters (2,301 feet), Eagle Mountain stands tall as Minnesota’s highest point. The mountain is located in Northern County and is a Minnesota State Historic Site.

11. The first military installation

Fort San Antonio (later called Fort Snelling) is Minnesota’s first military installation. It was built in 1819 and, Mendota, the first large settlement was developed in its vicinity. With the establishment in 1834 of the main commercial factory of the American Leather Company in Mendota, the fort became the main settlement of northwestern America.[13]

12. First states to support the Union

Minnesota was one of the first states to support the Union during the Civil War. It is around this time that the state government and some railway companies were interested in attracting people to the state territories.[7]

13. The largest amusement park

Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the Midwest area of the United States. It has over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters.. There is also an area called “Route 76” dedicated to the classic attractions with which the park originally started in 1976.[17]

14. The world’s largest pelican

The state is home to the world’s largest pelican, which was erected at base of of the Mill Pond dam. The concrete statue, which was built in 1957 is situated in Pelican Rapids.[23]

Minnesota on the map

15. Tax-free shopping

Minnesota is a dream for anyone who loves shopping. It is home to the largest mall and entertainment center in the United States – Mall of America. Shoppers can take advantage of zero tax on the sale of clothing or footwear, so it is a shopping paradise.[24]

16. The largest lakes

To the north, you will find the largest lakes in Minnesota and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Lake Leech is the third-largest in Minnesota. It is worth visiting, especially for its landscape. It has an irregular shape in addition to small and large bays. It comes as no surprise that the state is known as “the land of 10,000 lakes.”[20]

Fisherman displaying a freshly caught small mouth bass in his hand above the water of the river in a side view.

17. The best smallmouth bass

Lake Mille Lacs is home to the best smallmouth fish. It has been reported that some weigh up to a little more than three kilograms.[12]

18. The longest cave

Mystery Cave is the longest cave in the State of Minnesota is located in Forestville State Park and is open to the public. The interesting thing is to observe its natural formations of stalactites, stalagmites and underground pools. It is perfectly conditioned for tourism and children can enter.[1]

19. The historic Forestville Park

After getting to know the cave, you can move on to the historic Forestville Park, which has been restored with a 19th-century appearance. You can view the wildlife, including glacial snails and wooden rattlesnakes. Other species also include deer, beavers, bison, coyotes, foxes and at least 175 different species of birds.[6]

20. A theme park in a mall

In the Mall of America, you will find the Sea life Aquarium and the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park. That is correct, a theme park is located inside the mall. Additionally, it has SpongeBob attractions, Rock Bottom Immersion, Airbender and Avatar among others that the little ones will love.

21. Pizza farms

Would you like to eat a pizza on a farm? It is possible in many parts of MN, there are farms like Red Bern Farm in Northfield that provide the ideal setting to taste them. They are not pizzerias and the customers have to bring utensils: dishes, drinks, and even a blanket to sit on a picnic.

22. Population growth in the early days

Between 1850 and 1860, the population increased from 5,354 to more than 172,000 inhabitants. The Sioux, resentful of what they considered an unfair treaty, began a revolt in 1862.[14]

23. Battle of Lake Woods (1862)

More than 500 American settlers and soldiers died before the decisive defeat of the Sioux in the Battle of Lake Woods (1862), after which the Siux lost ownership of the land.[14]

24. Health plus beauty

Minnesota is considered to be one of the healthiest and most peaceful states in the entire Union.[15]

25. First inhabitants to manufacture metal tools

The inhabitants of the area around Lake Superior were the first to manufacture metal tools in the continent. The high copper content was worked by hammering it into a rough shape and heated making the metal tougher. Both copper ores and tools were exchanged throughout the region.[21]

26. The Dakota tribe

In the period when the first European explorers arrived in Minnesota, the region was inhabited by the Dakota tribe. Other tribes, such as the Ojibwa (also called Chippewa or Anishinaabe) began emigrating to the west of the state around 1700. The economy of these tribes was based mainly on hunting and gathering.[22]

27. Industrialization of Minnesota

With the participation of the United States in World War II, the state’s economic situation began to change due to the high demand for wheat and iron produced in the region. On the other hand, the war also contributed to the industrialization of the state.

28. Oldest rocks on earth

The gopher state has some of the oldest rocksfound on earth that were formed about 3.6 billion years ago. About 2.7 billion years ago, basaltic lava sprouted from cracks in the ground of the primitive ocean. The remains of this volcanic rock formed the Canadian Shield in northeastern Minnesota.[8]

29. Impact of ice on the state’s landscape

Sheets of ice masses transformed the landscape. The glaciation was last seen thousands of years ago. These glaciers affected wide areas except the southeast. This an area that has countless steep hills, including streams that hit the rocky bed.[19]

30. The largest population of gray wolves

The region has the largest population of gray wolves outside ofAlaska. It is also home to considerable populations of elk and white-tailed deer. The state has populations of waterfowl, such as geese and ducks as well as other migratory birds, such as Uruguayans, pheasants, and turkeys. To the southeast, you can find brook trout, common trout, and rainbow trout.[3]